Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

14 July 2020: Articles  Germany

First-in-Man: Case Report of Selective C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in a Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Unusual clinical course

Jan Torzewski1ABCDEFG*, Franz Heigl2ABCDEFG, Oliver Zimmermann1ABCDEFG, Florian Wagner3DEF, Christian Schumann4ABDF, Reinhard Hettich2DEF, Christopher Bock5CDEF, Stefan Kayser5CDE, Ahmed Sheriff56ABCDEFG

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.925020

Am J Case Rep 2020; 21:e925020

0 Comments

Abstract

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel viral disease, are surprisingly high. Pulmonary inflammation with subsequent fibrosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection is strongly accelerated. Recently, we have developed CRP apheresis to selectively remove CRP from human plasma. CRP may contribute to organ failure and pulmonary fibrosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection by CRP-mediated complement and macrophage activation.

CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old male patient at high risk was referred with dyspnea and fever. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of throat smear revealed SARS-CoV-2 infection. CRP levels were ~200 mg/L. Two days after admission, CRP apheresis using the selective CRP adsorber (PentraSorb® CRP) was started. CRP apheresis was performed via peripheral venous access on days 2, 3, 4, and 5. Following a 2-day interruption, it was done via central venous access on days 7 and 8. Three days after admission the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and intubated due to respiratory failure. Plasma CRP levels decreased by ~50% with peripheral (processed blood plasma ≤6000 mL) and by ~75% with central venous access (processed blood plasma ≤8000 mL), respectively. No apheresis-associated side effects were observed. After the 2-day interruption in apheresis, CRP levels rapidly re-increased (>400 mg/L) and the patient developed laboratory signs of multi-organ failure. When CRP apheresis was restarted, CRP levels and creatinine kinases (CK/CK-MB) declined again. Serum creatinine remained constant. Unfortunately, the patient died of respiratory failure on day 9 after admission.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on CRP apheresis in a SARS-CoV-2 patient. SARS-CoV-2 may cause multi-organ failure in part by inducing an excessive CRP-mediated autoimmune response of the ancient innate immune system.

Keywords: Blood Component Removal, C-Reactive Protein, COVID-19, Multiple Organ Failure, Pulmonary Fibrosis, SARS Virus, Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, Coronavirus Infections, Pandemics, Pneumonia, Viral, SARS-CoV-2

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototype human acute phase protein, remains scientifically enigmatic. Whereas CRP, as part of the ancient humoral immune response, is generally considered to be immunoprotective [1], increasing evidence suggests that it may also be harmful under certain circumstances [2–5]. The major inductors of CRP synthesis are interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) [1–3]. Two well-described immunological CRP functions are (1) activation of the classical complement pathway via C1q binding [6] and (2) binding to human immunoglobulin Fcγ receptors (mainly FcγRIIa) after opsonization of biological particles for macrophages [7–9]. The latter may also significantly contribute to the removal of affected cells in the context of organ damage [10]. Notably, complement activation and binding to Fcγ receptors are both antibody functions. For this reason, it is likely that CRP was the first antibody-like molecule in the evolution of the mammalian immune system. As CRP, in binding to “antigens”, has functions different from antibodies, its effectiveness may depend on the unique and manifold increase in plasma concentration as observed during an acute phase response. Because CRP functions have been taken over by antibodies with time, CRP may well be an atavism in the human immune system [5].

A new public health crisis exists with the emergence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [11,12]. The virus originated in bats and, in December 2019, was obviously transmitted to human beings through yet unknown intermediary animals in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by contact with infected droplets or by inhalation [11,12]. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days [13]. Many people are asymptomatic. Diagnosis is made through detection of the virus in respiratory secretions by PCR analysis. Symptoms include sore throat, cough, breathlessness, fever, fatigue, and malaise among others. The course of the disease is mild in most people; however, in some individuals (usually those with comorbidities and the elderly), the disease may progress to viral pneumonia and, finally, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. The fatality rate is excessively high in intubated patients for several reasons [12]. Common laboratory findings, especially in fatal cases, include low lymphocyte counts and, given a viral disease, surprisingly high plasma levels of CRP [11–13]. As yet, there is no known vaccine or proven specific antiviral treatment [11–14]. Primary treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Based on the assumption that CRP may contribute to organ failure and accelerated pulmonary fibrosis (by CRP-mediated complement and macrophage activation) [15] as well as abnormalities of surfactant function [16], we have used recently established selective CRP apheresis [4,10,17,18] as a method to efficiently and selectively remove CRP from the plasma of a SARS-CoV-2 patient at high risk.

Case Report

A 72-year-old man with symptoms of cough, breathlessness, and fever lasting for 7 days was referred to Kempten Hospital, Germany, by his general practitioner. Concomitant diseases included type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, prostate cancer (under active surveillance), peripheral arterial disease, ankylosing spondylitis (under treatment with sulfasalazine), chronic obstructive lung disease (on anti-obstructive medication), diffuse goiter, and chronic kidney disease (stage 3, creatinine 1.63 mg/dL, reference range 0.70–1.20 mg/dL; GFR 41.9 mL/min/1.73 m2). Thus, he was considered a high-risk SARS-CoV-2 patient. Interestingly, the patient did not report on any stay in a SARS-CoV-2 risk area or any contact with SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects. At admission, oxygen saturation was 85%. Laboratory values revealed excessive elevation of CRP plasma levels (206.3 mg/L, reference range 0.00–5.00 mg/L) without leukocytosis though lymphopenia of 10% (reference range 17–47%). Chest x-ray in bed revealed streaky infiltrates on both sides.

Two blood cultures were taken, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza PCR analysis of throat smear was initiated, and empiric antibiotic therapy with ampicillin/sulbactam (2/1) and clarithromycin was started. The patient was transferred to the infection ward. PCR results in the evening of admission day revealed SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Laboratory results 1 day after admission indicated previous infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (AK IgM [EIA] <10 U/mL, standard value <10; reference range 10–15 U/mL; AK IgA [EIA]: 75 U/mL, standard value <10, reference range 10–13 U/mL; AK IgG [EIA] 74 U/mL, standard value <10, reference range 10–12 U/mL) as well as sero-negativity for Legionella pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. No bacterial or fungal infection was detected. Influenza PCR was negative.

Continuous CRP elevation on day 2 after admission (and on day 2 of antibiotic therapy) prompted us to begin with CRP apheresis under the premise of continuous standard therapy of SARSCoV-2 infection. After correspondence with the Ethical Review Committee of Ulm University, Germany, written informed consent for CRP apheresis (declared as an individual healing attempt) was obtained from the patient.

CRP apheresis using the selective CRP adsorber (PentraSorb® CRP, Pentracor GmbH, Germany) was started via peripheral venous access on days 2, 3, 4, and 5 after admission. Due to ARDS with consecutive respiratory exhaustion (Figure 1), the patient was transmitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on day 3 after admission and intubated in the evening. ARDS category [19] during the ICU stay changed from moderate (PaO2/FIO2 ≤200 mmHg) to severe (PaO2/FIO2 ≤100 mmHg). Antibiosis was escalated to piperacillin/tazobactam. Ampicillin/sulbactam (2/1) and clarithromycin (no atypical bacteria) were stopped. Following a 48 h interruption of CRP apheresis due to uncertainty about continuation (treatment of acute myocardial infarction with maximum 3 consecutive CRP apheresis sessions [17,18]) and organizational difficulties caused by a necessary alternating change from ventral to dorsal patient position, we decided to continue CRP apheresis via central venous Shaldon catheter on day 7. Central venous access markedly improved efficiency of CRP elimination (Figure 2). The major reason to continue was the fact that laboratory parameters and clinical presentation indicating multi-organ failure increased after discontinuation of CRP apheresis (Figure 3).

In each apheresis session (with the exception of day 5 after admission), ≥6000 mL of plasma was treated. The course of CRP plasma levels and the course of other laboratory results are depicted in Figures 2–4. CRP apheresis efficiently counteracted CRP elevation and reduced CRP plasma levels (Figure 2). CRP apheresis obviously also influenced creatinine and bilirubin plasma levels, as well as creatinine-kinases (CK/CK-MB) and l-lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) (Figure 3). Thus, 3 parameters determining the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score [20] – bilirubin (1.58 mg/dL, reference range <1.2 mg/dL), creatinine (2.1 mg/dL, reference range 0.7–1.2 mg/dL), and platelet count (220 000/µL, reference range 146,000–328,000) remained relatively low until time of death. Respiratory parameters, however, did not improve (Figure 4). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, in this rapidly progressive disease with severely predamaged lungs and very poor prognosis, was not considered an option.

Unfortunately, the patient died of respiratory failure on day 9 after admission.

Discussion

CONSENT:

Consent for publication has been obtained, in line with the COPE best practice guidelines. The individual (his relatives, respectively), who is being reported on, is/are aware of the possible consequences of that reporting.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 may cause multi-organ failure by inducing an excessive CRP-mediated autoimmune response of the ancient innate immune system.

References:

1.. Du Clos TW, Pentraxins: Structure, function, and role in inflammation: ISRN Inflamm, 2013; 2013; 379040

2.. Ridker PM, Everett BM, Thuren T, Antiinflammatory therapy with canakinumab for atherosclerotic disease: N Engl J Med, 2017; 377; 1119-31

3.. Ridker PM, MacFadyen JG, Everett BM, Relationship of C-reactive protein reduction to cardiovascular event reduction following treatment with canakinumab: A secondary analysis from the CANTOS randomised controlled trial: Lancet, 2018; 391; 319-28

4.. Sheriff A, Schindler R, Vogt B, Selective apheresis of C-reactive protein: A new therapeutic option in myocardial infarction?: J Clin Apher, 2015; 30; 15-21

5.. Zimmermann O, Li K, Zaczkiewicz M, C-reactive protein in human atherogenesis: facts and fiction: Mediators Inflamm, 2014; 2014; 561428

6.. Kaplan MH, Volanakis JE, Interaction of C-reactive protein complexes with the complement system. I. Consumption of human complement associated with the reaction of C-reactive protein with pneumococcal C-polysaccharide and with the choline phosphatides, lecithin and sphingomyelin: J Immunol, 1974; 112; 2135-47

7.. Bharadwaj D, Stein MP, Volzer M, The major receptor for C-reactive protein on leukocytes is Fcgamma receptor II: J Exp Med, 1999; 190; 585-90

8.. Manolov DE, Rocker C, Hombach V, Ultrasensitive confocal fluorescence microscopy of C-reactive protein interacting with FcgammaRIIa: Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2004; 24; 2372-77

9.. Zwaka TP, Hombach V, Torzewski J, C-reactive protein-mediated low density lipoprotein uptake by macrophages: Implications for atherosclerosis: Circulation, 2001; 103; 1194-97

10.. Slagman AC, Bock C, Abdel-Aty H, Specific removal of C-reactive protein by apheresis in a porcine cardiac infarction model: Blood Purif, 2011; 31; 9-17

11.. Bhatraju PK, Ghassemieh BJ, Nichols M, Covid-19 in critically ill patients in the Seattle region – case series: N Engl J Med, 2020; 382(21); 2012-22

12.. Zhou F, Yu T, Du R, Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective cohort study: Lancet, 2020; 395; 1054-62

13.. Zhang J, Litvinova M, Wang W, Evolving epidemiology and transmission dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 outside Hubei province, China: A descriptive and modelling study: Lancet Infect Dis, 2020 [Online ahead of print

14.. Grein J, Ohmagari N, Shin D, Compassionate use of remdesivir for patients with severe Covid-19: N Engl J Med, 2020 [Online ahead of print

15.. Zhang R, Zhang YY, Huang XR, C-reactive protein promotes cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive cardiac disease: Hypertension, 2010; 55; 953-60

16.. Li JJ, Sanders RL, McAdam KP, Impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) on surfactant function: J Trauma, 1989; 29; 1690-97

17.. Ries W, Heigl F, Garlichs C, Selective C-reactive protein-apheresis in patients: Ther Apher Dial, 2019; 23; 570-74

18.. Ries W, Sheriff A, Heigl F, “First in man”: Case report of selective C-reactive protein apheresis in a patient with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: Case Rep Cardiol, 2018; 2018; 4767105

19.. Force ADT, Ranieri VM, Rubenfeld GD, Acute respiratory distress syndrome: The Berlin Definition: JAMA, 2012; 307; 2526-33

20.. Singer M, Deutschman CS, Seymour CW, The third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3): JAMA, 2016; 315; 801-10

21.. Tillett WS, Francis T: J Exp Med, 1930; 52; 561-71

22.. Ruan Q, Yang K, Wang W, Clinical predictors of mortality due to COVID-19 based on an analysis of data of 150 patients from Wuhan, China: Intensive Care Med, 2020; 46(5); 846-48

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923